Ken Westhaver grew up in the tough streets of South Boston.  He wanted to be on a submarine so bad he could feel it.  Thrown aboard the Minneapolis / St. Paul was the beginning of a career that took him to the Constitution (Old Ironsides), a tank and finally to the Boston Police where he currently serves as a detective.

Enjoy this fun filled interview.

One of Boston’s finests!

Proudly displaying his dolphins!

‘; 

Darryl Jackson grew up on the tough streets of Newark, New Jersey.  He was a standout athlete in school, but ended up in trouble with the Navy being a great choice to avoid possible jail time.  He had a few rough years, but with good mentors, he turned it all around.  A sailor of the year and quick learner and made chief and now mentors troubled sailors and his future looks brighter than ever.  He wife Lisa makes sure of that.

Darryl becomes a chief

Chilling with Darryl

Darryl and his wife Lisa

Raul Robles is a chief on a mission.  He has 15 years serving aboard fast attack submarines and deep submergence rescue vehicles.  Raul balances his work and home life with his wife, Amy Robles and their 3 year old daughter.

Amy has a popular blog womanenriched.com and a podcast, The Family Knot, targeted toward military spouses.

Daddy’s little girl

USS Mystic

Chief Robles and Amy

Mike Fieser is a winner.  Besides being and Nuc ET and now a photographer, he won a radio contest to guess his profession.  He came up with the ET version of another day at the office.  Mike reads the winning entry and tells you what it all means…

Mike Fieser today

Radm Chuck Beers (retired) was a submariner as his dad before him.  He eventually became the commanding officer of the USS Minneapolis / St. Paul, SSN 708.  He discusses Starve X 1985, the Butter Liberation Front and the new Virginia Class Subs.

Dolphin Scholarships (must have served 8 years on submarine service and qualified)

Rear Admiral Beers

Chuck Beers, his wife and son the aviator

Bob MacPherson is the Lean Submariner, he know efficiency!.  He started out as a submariner by chance and did not put in his best effort – to start.  After leaving and having the steel industry collapsing in Pennsylvania, he re-joined the Navy and chose to make the most of it.  He ended up as a warrant officer and helped a large group of people change their lives for the better.

His favorite and most famous blog: I’d like to be a submariner, how hard can that be?

Bob’s Navy Sword and his Ceremonial Clan MacPherson Sword

USS George Washington A gang

Indianapolis A Gang

Bob’s Bookcase with Speaking Trophies

Machinist Mate Chief

Kurt Jarrio, a 20 year submariner was a hard partying, somewhat crazy plankowner aboard the USS Minneapolis / St. Paul.  He was tied up by robbers, robbed again outside a pizza place.  He landed his wife after just a few days meeting her back in the 80’s.  They are still together with 4 successful kids who each have served or are serving in the military.

Great guy, great family, great American (and funny as hell).

Kurt passed out in Ft Liquordale

Party time! Bob Burchfield, Bill Nowicki and Kurt Jarrio

Captain Beers re-enlisting Kurt

Kurt and Elaine in 1986

Kurt and his beer.

Kurt and Elaine today.

Rich Hust grew up scared he was going to end up in Vietnam doing something he might not like.  Instead, after leaving jail, he walked into the Navy recruiter’s office and signed up.  That night, he left for boot camp and started his Navy career.  The Scamp was his first designation.  Rich gives some vivid details on the sights and more importantly smells of this water restricted boat.  WARNING, if you are easily grossed out, pick another episode to listen to.

Argentina

The Scamp

Rich Hust today

The Family Knot Podcast

Dave Butler grew up in a small town in Louisiana.  By a twist of fate, he was handed a Naval Academy appointment.  As a midshipman, he was first assigned to a surface ship and thought better of it.  He ended up on a diesel submarine and never looked back.  Dave relives his career including his influences, challenges and triumphs.

Dave back in the day.

USS Minneapolis St. Paul, SSN 708 launch. Dave is the tall guy on the top

Near hole-in-one

Commander Dave Butler

Dave Butler today

Rich Damm was born and raised on Long Island and decided to join the Navy.  He spent several years working as a ballistic missile tech and transitioned to become a successful entrepreneur and owner of 636solutions a tech company that caters to small businesses.

636 Solution’s logo

Off crew party

Rich and his family today